World

McConnell freeze while speaking with reporters in Kentucky

August 31, 2023

On Wednesday, after giving a speech in Covington, Kentucky, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Freeze for nearly 30 seconds as he spoke with reporters.

McConnell

The incident is comparable to one McConnell had at the US Capitol late last month, and it is expected to raise more concerns about the 81-year-old’s suitability to serve as the leader of the Senate Republican caucus.

The incident on Wednesday started when a reporter inquired about the Republican leader’s intentions for 2026. McConnell had to urge him to repeat the question multiple times before he finally stopped, shut his lips, and looked straight ahead after chuckling briefly.

“Did you hear the question, Senator, running for re-election in 2026?” a bystander by his side, then questioned McConnell remained silent.

We’re going to need a moment. I’m sorry to all of you, the assistant informed the press. For a brief period, a member of the senator’s detail whispered softly to him, and McConnell was able to respond in a whisper.

After saying “OK” and turning back to the media, McConnell’s assistant inquired as to whether anyone had further questions and invited the media to “speak up.”

According to a McConnell spokesperson who talked to CNN, the Kentucky Republican “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today.” “While he feels fine, as a prudential measure, the leader will be consulting a physician prior to his next event,” a McConnell aide continued.

He then went to a fundraiser for Rep. Jim Banks, an Indiana senatorial candidate; this shows that he continued with his program despite Wednesday’s on-going concerns about his health.

Since 2007, McConnell has served as the Senate Republican caucus’ leader. Throughout the year, concerns have been raised regarding his health. After falling at a hotel in Washington in March, he received medical attention for a concussion and a cracked rib before making a brief return to the Senate.

McConnell froze for 30 seconds in the middle of a news conference on Capitol Hill in late July. Republicans later claimed that the Kentucky Republican was dehydrated; however, his office first claimed that he was “lightheaded” at the time. After the event, McConnell assured reporters that he was “fine.”

Following the event, McConnell and his top deputy, John Thune, the Republican whip in the Senate, talked.

According to Thune spokesman Ryan Wrasse, “the leader sounded like his usual self and was in good spirits.”

According to a source at Banks’ event, McConnell was in a “great mood” and avoided bringing up the freezing incident. According to the source, the two talked about concerns relating to Kentucky and Indiana.

In a social media post, Banks described their conversation as “wide-ranging” and posted a photo of the two men conversing.

According to a source, McConnell was “very tuned in” to Banks’ Senate campaign and was participating in the conversation.

Additionally, President Joe Biden stated to reporters on Wednesday that he intends to make an effort to “get in touch” with McConnell.

It’s not a joke; I realize some people don’t think that Mitch is a friend. Despite our political differences, he is a close buddy, so I will attempt to contact him later this afternoon. Following comments on the federal response to Hurricane Idalia and the Maui wildfires, Biden told reporters, “I don’t know enough to know.